Victoria Monahan

I hate the winter months. Though I’ve lived in Florida for almost two decades, where even in the winter we have sunshine and warmth, I struggle during this season. Specifically, I struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.

I love to travel, and I have been fortunate enough to be able to do quite a bit of it. I love being able to immerse myself in new places and cultures, try new foods, hear new languages, and get a sense of the wider world.

When we think of time, often it’s a linear thought: morning, noon, night, and all that happens in a day, a week, a month, a year, or a decade. We think about the past more than we think of our future and how the past has affected our thoughts and actions.

Did you know, in America alone, over 430,000 children are in the foster care system? The majority of the children in out-of-home care come from neglectful homes and many hope to be reunited with their parents. Foster care is truly about helping families get back on their feet and reuniting children with their parents.

Growing up, I never really thought about my mental health. Who does? Overall, I was a happy child, playing with friends, excelling in school, and being a kid. And then…

I have always loved to read. As I look back, I am hard-pressed to remember a time when I wasn’t reading. And, yes, I am that person who always has a book (or two) on me, just in case I’m stuck in a line, or at a very long red light.